Breathe (Louis Tomlinson)

Chapter Six

ARDEN'S POV:

"Honey," my mom said, walking into my room. "It's almost six. We need to leave soon."

"Okay, one second." I said, trying to put on my Converse without bracelets sliding too far down my arm; I don't want my mom to see my scars. She always gets emotional when she sees them, thought I'm not totally sure why.

"I'll be waiting in the car... Join me when you're done tying those." she said.

"Alright," I answered, trying to keep my anger at bay- she always angered me, thought I don't really know why. Maybe it's her constant happiness.

I sighed and stood up, taking a look in the long mirror hanging on the opposite wall, surrounded by band posters and lyrics. I was wearing a black v-neck, blue jeans, and Converse, my hair curled. It was very weird for me to not be wearing a band t-shirt. I felt uncomfortable and exposed.

I slid on another bracelet just in case and headed to the car, not looking forward to this "Christmas" party.

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I sat at the table, eating a slice of pizza gingerly while there was conversation between my friends. Before the attempt, I used to be the one talking, but now I'm afraid that they'll laugh at a joke that's not even funny because they feel forced to.

"Cake time!" Tyler's mom says happily, carrying a homemade-looking cake towards us. I'll admit, the chocolate frosting was extremely tempting.

She pushed the untouched bowls of vegetables from the center of the table to make room for the delicious creation that is cake.

"Arden, you can choose what piece you would like first," she said, beaming at me as she cut into the cake. I smiled back, excited for the cake- at least this was something to live for.

"I'll have the corner piece, please," I say.

"Awe! I was gonna ask for that!" Anna said, and we laugh.

I was actually having a good time.

Too bad that the minute I got home I'd be a blob of depression.

What a great metaphor.

"Thank you," I said, taking a huge bite and wiping some of the frosting off the corner of my mouth.

"How is it?" she asked as she handed out pieces to everyone else.

"Amazing!" I said, though 'amazing' was an understatement.

We all ate our cake in silence, so quickly that I don't think that anyone even took the time to really taste it.

"Alright, I'm thinking a little Just Dance 4 is in order!" Lexi exclaimed, running downstairs, followed by the rest of us.

After playing a bit of video games and fighting over what movie to watch, all seven of us had settled on the couch.

I was just getting into Cloudy With A Chance Of Meatballs (yes, what a mature decision for a bunch of teenagers) when my phone rang, a Sleeping With Sirens ringtone sounding through the basement.

"Sorry," I apologized while they paused the movie for me to answer the phone.

"Hey, honey," my mom's voice said.

"Hey," I answered, unsure of why she was calling me.

"I had to go into work for some month-end business, but I'll be working a bit later than I once expected- people just don't know how to file invoices, do they?- and so I'm going to have Mrs. Tomlinson come pick you up and drive you home. She'll be there at ten, and it's nine thirty now." she said.

"Okay..." I said, sounding unsure. I wasn't sure if I was up for an awkward car ride with my psychiatrist.

"Alright, I love you. I'll be home by midnight."

"Okay, love you too."

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"What radio station do you usually listen to?" Mrs. Tomlinson asked, fumbling with the radio as we stayed parked in the driveway, waiting to leave for my house.

"I don't listen to the radio. Anything is fine," I said, trying to be sweet and kind. I honestly didn't want to listen to the rad, but if it meant breaking any awkward silences, I was willing to listen to whatever.

"Okay, I suppose this will do," she said as she switched it to a classical station. "I'm sorry, but I have to pick Louis up from band practice." she said, and suddenly my stomach flip-flopped.

Louis? In the same car as me? This could be both good and bad- I've always been terrible at talking to people, specifically males, and this was just an extra challenge because his mother is there and she's my freaking psychiatrist.

"Okay, that's cool," I said, trying to be cool when, in fact, I felt like throwing up.

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QOTD: what's your favourite 1D song and favourite non-1D song?

My faves are

1D: Irresistible

Non1D: Lack Of Color by Death Cab For Cutie or any acoustic Sleeping With Sirens songs.

Thanks for everything!